Tendulkar to get Bharat Ratna on Feb 4

New Delhi, 2014/Jan/17 03:25:00

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Sachin Tendulkar will be conferred with the Bharat Ratna on February 4 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi by President Pranab Mukherjee.

Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket on November 16 after an illustrious career spanning 24 years, is also a Member of Parliament in the Upper House. The Rashtrapati Bhawan announced the award for Tendulkar on the day he retired, making him the first sportsman get the honour.

Tendulkar, who called it a day after his historic 200th Test match will receive the award along with eminent scientist Professor CNR Rao. Many believed hockey legend Dhyanchand should have got the Bharat Ratna ahead of any other sportsman but when Tendulkar's name was announced, few disagreed on the historic nomination.

"That he has been honoured with several awards is testimony to his extraordinary brilliance as a sportsman," an official statement said.

The last recipient of the Bharat Ratna was legendary musician Bhimsen Joshi back in 2009.